SO YOU THINK YOU WANT TO BREED.............. AT LEAST TAKE A MINUTE TO ENLIGHTEN YOURSELF ON SOME
COMMON KNOWLEDGE FROM EXPERIENCED BREEDERS!
There are a few types of dogs to "sort out" when making decisions on whether to breed or not.
1-Competitive-akc events etc
2-Genetically sound/correct
3-Excellent companion/Temperament and Trainability
4-None of the above
PREFERABLY you should only breed dogs that have a minimum of 2 and 3, as just a 3 is lacking in either
soundness and/or competitiveness(IE becomes a show champion or master hunter etc) In Labradors, there are
way too many people breeding their dogs for reasons just 3 or 4, where 4 is usually a puppy mill... There are
literally thousands of Labs out there and ALL of them are the BEST dog on the planet in their owners eyes. So
sadly these owners who may mean well think it is in the best nature to breed THIS dog. Unfortunately ignorance
has led us to have more and more problems in the breed. We cannot stop it all, but can pass on knowledge in a
way that gives people the ability to make an informed decision.
When you buy you Labrador puppy, one of your FIRST decisions should be whether or not you may want to
breed in the future. If not, the quality level of the puppy is not AS IMPORTANT-IE breeding or competition quality,
yet soundness should always be a priority for obvious other reasons.
HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ANSWER HONESTLY TO SEE IF YOU ARE MAKING A GOOD
CHOICE.
WHY DO I WANT TO BREED MY DOG?
The right answer may vary, but ultimately it should be because you are truly improving the breed and using
highly qualified breeding animals.
WHAT DOES MY DOG HAVE TO OFFER TO MAINTAIN OR IMPROVE UPON WITHIN THIS BREED?
The right answers also vary but should at the least be that this dog is genetically free of passing on hereditary
problems. OFA, Pennhip scores, Optigen, CERF, thyroid testing are all tests for some things that are prevalent,
and most importantly somewhat PREVENTABLE.
DOES MY DOG COME FROM EXCELLENT BREEDING DOGS ALSO?
If you DID NOT buy your dog from a reputable breeder, you most likely DO NOT have a breeding quality dog.
Please realize that the best temperament is NOT enough of a reason to reproduce your dogs lines!!
WILL MY DOG MAKE A GOOD MOTHER TO A LITTER OF PUPPIES?
Many times the mother dog does just fine, but more often than expected, they do not do well with their litter.
You are in deep IF this happens with your dog....
DO I HAVE HOMES LINED UP ALREADY AS THERE ARE ALWAYS 50-100 LABRADOR PUPPIES AVAILABLE IN
OUR LOCAL PAPER?
Most first timers don't realize that the competition is harsh if you don' t have an idea of where the litter will go.
Labradors can have a large litter, which costs you lots of time and money, and in the end you may have to give
away a puppy or two. It truly is not a money making deal in comparison.
READ BELOW ABOUT SOME OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER, I BROUGHT THIS IN FROM ANOTHER VERY
EXPERIENCED BREEDERS PAGES: (I highligted in red the ones that I have/do experience/d, green a close friend
in addition to the rest)
1. Are you and your children ready to witness the death of a puppy, and sometimes a slow death, either
immediately or when it is older?
2. Are you and your children ready to witness or have to deal with the death of the mother and having to raise a
litter on your own?
3. Are you prepared for the cost of an emergency C-section? Are you prepared for the costs of a sick puppy?
4. Are you prepared to give up a good chunk of your life for the next 8 weeks?
5. Are you prepared for the mess that a litter of puppies makes?
6. What plans do you have for the puppies if you cannot sell all of them?
7. Are you prepared to advise puppy buyers for 1 to 14 years?
8. What happens to the puppy/dog if the buyer cannot keep it? Will you take it back?
IF YOU THINK THESE SUGGESTIONS ARE EXTREME, YOU ARE IGNORANT... UNFORTUNATELY THESE ARE
REAL EXAMPLES AND EXPERIENCES THAT HAPPEN EVERY DAY. I PERSONALLY LOST A LITTER OF TEN
PUPPIES IN 2007 TO AN UNCOMMON VIRUS, ONE AT A TIME, MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER GOT TO LEARN THE
REALITIES OF LIFE THE MOST HEARTBREAKING WAY POSSIBLE....
BREEDING IS NOT FOR FUN, OR TO TEACH CHILDREN WITH, THE OUTCOME IS NOT
ALWAYS GOOD...JUST BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING TO HAPPEN AND REALIZE
THAT YOU ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBLE PARTY FOR CREATING THESE PUPPIES
THAT WILL BE PLACED OUT INTO THIS CRAZY WORLD... BE SURE YOU ARE TRULY
PROUD OF WHAT YOU ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE OVERPOPULATED
COMMUNITY!!!
FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME OR CALL ME WITH MORE QUESTIONS!